People, Locations, Episodes

Sylvia Williams, Curator born

*Sylvia H. Williams was born on this date in 1936. She was a Black museum director, curator, art historian, and scholar of African art.    Sylvia Louise Hill was born and grew up in Lincoln, Pennsylvania. Her father was a professor of English and dean at Lincoln University. She married Charlton Williams, but the couple never had children. Williams held art history […]

Don Cherry, Jazz Artist born

This date marks the birth of Don Cherry in 1936. He was an African American musician.

Donald Eugene Cherry was born in Oklahoma City, and raised in Los Angeles. He started on trumpet in junior high school and began working with Ornette Coleman in 1956. The Coleman quartet moved to New York City in 1959, creating controversy and making revolutionary albums for Atlantic until it disbanded in late 1961. Shortly thereafter, Cherry worked with a wide array of musicians in this country and Europe: John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Steve Lacy, George Russell, and Albert Ayler.

James DePreist, Classical Musician born

*James DePreist was born on this date in 1936. He is an African American performer, composer, arranger, and conductor of music and poet.

Grace Bumbry, Opera Singer born

This date celebrates the birth of Grace Bumbry, an African American opera singer, in 1937.

She was born Grace Ann Bumbry in St. Louis, Missouri. She studied music at Boston University, Northwestern University, and the Music Academy of the West. She has has performed as both a soprano and a mezzo-soprano. While at Northwestern she became the student and protégé of Lotte Lehmann, a famous German-born opera diva.

Shirley Bassey, Singer born

*Shirley Bassey was born on this date in 1937. She is a Black British singer.

Simon Estes, Classical Vocalist born

*The birth of Simon Estes in 1938 is marked on this date. He is an African American classical concert vocalist.

Mercedes Ellington, Dancer born

*Mercedes Ellington was born on this date in 1939. She is a Black Dancer and choreographer.  Mercedes Ellington was born in New York City to Ruth Silas Batts, trumpet player and conductor Mercer Ellington, son of composer and bandleader Duke Ellington. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, Louise Petgrave Silas and Alfred Silas, who enrolled her in dance […]

Marian Anderson Sings at the Lincoln Memorial

*On this date in 1939, Marian Anderson sang before a (then) record crowd and radio audience on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Jerry Pinkney, Children’s Illustraton Artist born

*Jerry Pinkney was born on this date in 1939. He was a Black artist, illustrator, writer, and teacher of children’s literature. Jerry Pinkney was born in Philadelphia, PA. His parents were Williemae and James Pinkney; he was the middle child of five siblings. Pinkney struggled in school due to dyslexia but excelled at drawing, even […]

Adolphus Hailstork, Composer and Educator born

*Adolphus Hailstork was born on April 17, 1941. He is a Black composer and educator. Adolphus Cunningham Hailstork III was born in Rochester, New York, and grew up in Albany, New York, where he studied violin, piano, organ, and voice. He is of African, Indigenous, and European ancestry. His works blend musical ideas from the […]

The National Negro Opera Company is Founded

On this date in 1941, opera singer Mary Cardwell Dawson founded the National Negro Opera Company.

Based in Pittsburgh, the Opera Company remained in the steel city until 1960 and lasted outright until 1962.

William Louther, Choreographer born

*William Louther was born on this date in 1942. He was a Black ballet and modern dancer, teacher, and choreographer.  He was born in Brooklyn, NY. He studied at the High School of Performing Arts and the Juilliard School with Tudor and Graham and danced in O’Donnell’s company in 1958. He subsequently performed with the […]

Sylvia Snowden, Artist born.

*Sylvia Snowden’s birth, on this date in 1942, is celebrated. She is a Black abstract artist. Sylvia Snowden was born in Raleigh, NC. Snowden attended Howard University, where she studied under David Driskell and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree. Snowden received a scholarship to Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in […]

Maurice Hines, Dancer, Singer, and Choreographer born.

*Maurice Hines was born on this date in 1943. He was a Black actor, director, singer, and choreographer. He was Gregory Hines’ older brother. Maurice Robert Hines Jr. was born in New York City to a Catholic couple, Alma Iola (Lawless) and Maurice Robert Hines Sr., a dancer, musician, and actor. Hines began his career […]

Roy McBride, Poet born

*Roy McBride was born on this date in 1943. He was a Black teacher, writer, community activist, and poet/spoken word artist. Roy Chester McBride was the firstborn of Roger and Lacinea McBride and was from Magnolia, Arkansas. As a child, McBride fell in love with books and recited words. The Arkansas native moved to the […]